The West Aurora School District board has approved a two-year contract extension with Superintendent Jeff Craig that includes a 2.75 percent pay increase.
Craig’s contract was set to expire in 2022, so the extension is through the 2023-24 school year.
A one-year contract extension was done this time last year with the same pay hike.
Other than the salary increase, no other terms were changed, according to West Aurora Assistant Superintendent of Operations Angie Smith.
The superintendent’s salary is reviewed annually as part of his goals established for the year.
He began as superintendent on July 1, 2014, with a base salary of $190,000 in a three-year contract. His salary this year is $225,873.
West Aurora School Board President Robert Gonzalez noted the board’s unanimous approval of the superintendent’s contract extension.
“We believe in what he is doing and his leadership,” Gonzalez said.
Board members appreciated positive feedback at a recent district-wide kickoff, School Board Vice President Richard Kerns said.
“We are happy with the climate and culture developed in the district,” Kerns told The Beacon-News.
Kerns said he is impressed with Craig’s decisions in filling administrative positions and the goals he established covering academics, finance and social and emotional learning.
The goals are all-inclusive across the district, he said.
“People are collaborating with each other to achieve the goals. There’s far more interaction between administrators and buildings. They all contribute,” Kerns said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
